Memorial Day Weekend: Guide To Park Access For NoVA Residents

VIRGINIA — With Memorial Day serving as the unofficial start of summer, Virginians will be searching for places open for outdoor activities during the coronavirus crisis. The state is filled with beautiful parks, some of which are easing restrictions in time for Memorial Day weekend.

Starting Thursday, campgrounds at Virginia State Parks are reopening and campers can visit the parks department's website to make reservations. Park-specific operational plans have been developed to comply with group size limitations and social distancing requirements.

In Northern Virginia, where officials have not approved a partial reopening plan, access to certain amenities at parks remains restricted. Virginia officials are encouraging residents to visit parks close to home. Strict social distancing requirements will remain in place. Group sizes are limited to 10 people. Guests must keep at least six feet apart from other guests.

Trails at most state parks are open for hiking and biking. Fishing piers and boat ramps at most state parks are open. Picnic tables and grills are open for groups of no more than 10 people.

On Memorial Day weekend, restrooms, camping cabins and yurts, and boat and bike rentals will be opening at most parks. For the entire summer, though, swimming pools at state parks will remain closed.

Here's the status of federal, state and local parks in or near Northern Virginia for the Memorial Day holiday weekend:

Great Falls Park

Hiking trails and overlooks are open at Great Falls Park. The Great Falls Park Visitor Center is temporarily closed and fee operations have been suspended. The parking lot at Great Falls Park is closed and no public restrooms or water fountains are available.

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park will begin a phased reopening at 8 a.m., Saturday, May 23. During this phase, Old Rag, Whiteoak and their associated trails, as well as all boundary trailheads and picnic areas will remain closed. Skyline Drive and other trails will be open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entry fees apply and restrooms are limited.

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park

The grounds are open at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. But all public buildings are closed and public programs canceled. Roads, trails and parking areas remain open but are not maintained. Restrooms are closed.

Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks)

As of Wednesday, most park gates and parking lots at NOVA Parks facilities were open to the public. This includes all boat launches, trails and golf courses. Access to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens will begin on Friday. Visitors will have limited or no access into buildings for restrooms and check-ins. Online reservations are strongly encouraged at our golf courses.

Mason Neck State Park

7301 High Point Rd., Lorton

Mason Neck State Park is open for day use. The park does not have overnight facilities.

Leesylvania State Park

2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive, Woodbridge

Leesylvania State Park is open for day use activities such as hiking and fishing. Picnic shelters are not open at Leesylvania and will not be open for Memorial Day holiday weekend. Playgrounds and the fishing pier are currently closed, and the park is not allowing late night fishing or boating. The park is also operating at a reduced maximum capacity. The park closes entry to arriving park guests when it reaches or exceeds capacity to ensure both staff and public safety. Temporary closures due to reaching capacity are posted to the park's website.

Sky Meadows State Park

11012 Edmonds Lane, Delaplane

This 1,860-acre Sky Meadows State Park in Fauquier County is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Hiking, fishing and picnicking are allowed. Starting Thursday night, the park's tent camping area will open to the public. The camping area can be accessed by hiking about a mile from the park's parking lot. Restrooms are open at the park. The visitor center and gift shop are closed.

Fairfax County Park Authority

Fairfax County Park Authority parking lots and parks reopened for limited use Wednesday. Reopening will be completed by Friday. However, facilities and restrooms will remain closed. All reopenings will be conducted in accordance with guidelines from the Virginia Governor’s office and the Centers for Disease Control. Park visitors are asked to adhere to the physical distancing guidelines and small group guidelines — do not exceed 10 people. Restrooms, dog parks, nature centers, campgrounds, basketball courts, athletic fields and park buildings will remain closed.

Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services

All Parks, Recreation and Community Services recreation, community, senior and adult day centers and the Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center remain closed for Memorial Day weekend. County parks and Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve are open during normal hours for passive trail and leisure use, if social distancing is maintained. All offices, playgrounds, athletic complexes and courts, pavilions and other features in parks that would encourage gatherings and negatively impact social distancing practices are closed.

Arlington County Parks and Recreation

All Arlington County and Arlington Public Schools parks, playgrounds, fields, restrooms, tracks, dog parks and athletic courts will remain closed for Memorial Day weekend. Park visitors are asked to adhere to all closure notices and current social distancing recommendations. The county’s 49 miles of paved multi-use trails and additional hiking trails, are open, with strict social distancing. The county’s community gardens are open, with strict social distancing. All public and private gatherings of more than 10 people are banned in Arlington County.

Prince William County Parks and Recreation

The parking areas and trails at Prince William County's parks are open to the public. The boat launch at Lake Ridge Park is available for use by boat owners. Boat rentals are not currently available. All park amenities other than trails and walking paths are closed to encourage social distancing. Outdoor pools and water parks are closed as well.

Alexandria Parks

All unfenced city of Alexandria parks, trails and fields remain open to the public to provide opportunities for safe, physically distant exercise. Playgrounds are closed. All recreation, nature and art centers are closed.